This lesson teaches children that God wants His people to hear and speak what is true, not what is comfortable or made up. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, questions and one activity.
Big Idea
God wants us to tell the truth about Him. When someone says “God says” but God never said it, that is a lie, and God is not pleased with it.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 13:9
“My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who utter lying divinations. They will not be in the council of my people, neither will they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither will they enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord the LORD”
(WEB)
Cup both hands in front of your chest, then slowly open them outward, as if you are showing everyone what is inside. Say the verse slowly with the motion, so children connect “showing the truth” with their hands.
The Story: Ezekiel 13 for Kids
Long ago, God gave a message to a man named Ezekiel. God told him to speak to the prophets of Israel. These were men who said they spoke for God. But some of them were making things up. They said, “God says peace is coming,” even though God had not told them that at all.
God was not happy about this. The prophets were like foxes hiding in broken places, not standing on the wall to protect the people. They had not repaired the walls of the city. Instead, they were covering the cracks with paint that looked nice but could not hold anything up. When a strong storm came, the cracked walls would fall down.
God told Ezekiel to speak plainly. “Because you have spoken lies and seen false visions, I am against you,” God said. He promised that the false prophets would not stand with His people anymore. Then the people would know that God is the true Lord.
Ezekiel also spoke to women who made pretend charms and pillows to trick people. They were using their lies to catch the souls of God’s people, and to win bread and barley for themselves. God said He would tear their charms away and set His people free. He wanted His people to stop being fooled by lies.
God said something hopeful at the end. He would bring the lies to an end, and His people would no longer be trapped by them. They would learn that He alone is the Lord who keeps His word.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 13:3
Thus says the Lord the LORD, “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
(WEB)
Point out that the prophets were following their own ideas instead of God. Ask children how they can tell when someone is making up a story instead of sharing something true.
Ezekiel 13:10-11
10 “‘Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, “Peace;” and there is no peace. When one builds up a wall, behold, they plaster it with whitewash. 11 Tell those who plaster it with whitewash that it will fall. There will be an overflowing shower; and you, great hailstones, will fall. A stormy wind will tear it.
(WEB)
Show children the picture of a wall covered with a pretty coat of paint. Explain that paint on a cracked wall hides the problem but does not fix it, and that God does not want His people to hide problems with pretend answers.
Ezekiel 13:22-23
22 Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive. 23 Therefore you shall no more see false visions, nor practice divination. I will deliver my people out of your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
(WEB)
Point out that God cares about the people who are being discouraged by lies. Explain that God sees hurt, and He promises to rescue His people from people who mislead them.
Talk About It
- What is the difference between a true message and a made-up one?
- Why do you think the prophets wanted to say nice things, even when they were not true?
- How does it feel when someone tells you something that is not true?
- What are some ways we can check whether something we hear is really true?
- How can you tell the truth about God to a friend this week?
Activity Ideas
Crack and Paint Wall Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a glue stick. Have children draw a brick wall with a few cracks in it. Then have them cover the cracks with a thin layer of crayon or a sticky note to show whitewash. Ask them to draw a storm cloud above the wall and talk about how paint cannot fix a broken wall. Finish by writing the memory verse at the bottom.
Truth Show Movement Game
Gather the children in an open space. Call out statements, some true and some false, such as “God made the sky” or “Pizza grows on trees.” When the statement is true, children do the memory verse motion of opening their hands. When it is false, they stay still with their hands folded. Keep the pace fun and talk about why it matters to tell what is real.
Truth Card for Home
You will need an index card, a pen and a small envelope. Help each child write the memory verse on the card and decorate it with a simple drawing of an open hand. Encourage them to put it in a place they will see each morning, such as a bathroom mirror or a backpack. Suggest that they share one true thing about God with someone at home that week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a warning against speaking in God’s name without faithfulness to what He has actually said. The prophets did not only fail to bring a true word, they also comforted people with false hope, which left the nation unprepared. The passage calls everyone who teaches about God to take honesty seriously, especially when a message is easy to hear.
With children, avoid overstating the image of God as angry or eager to punish. The chapter does show God’s opposition to lies, but it also shows His care for the people who were being misled and His promise to rescue them. Keep the emphasis on God’s love for truth and for His people.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, help us to tell the truth about You and to love what is true. Teach us to listen carefully and to speak kindly and honestly. Keep us from making things up, and help us trust that You always keep Your word. Thank You for being faithful to us. Amen.
